Abuse can be hard to spot and a child might not even know that what is happening is wrong.

Signs of neglect or violence can be obvious but in cases where you only suspect abuse, the NSPCC recommends taking the following steps:

- Continue to talk to the child so they can open up when they're ready to talk.

- Keep a diary to monitor the way the child is behaving and spot patterns of behaviour.

- Talk to the child's teacher or health visitor to see if they have noticed them acting unusually.

- Talk about your worries with a trusted friend or family member or with an NSPCC helpline counsellor, which can be done anonymously.

File picture (Image: Daily Record.)

The NSPCC website states : “Coping with abuse and its effects is very difficult for children and it's also hard for them to talk about it.

“Depending on their age and maturity they might simply not understand what is happening to them or have the words to describe it.

“They may also be very aware that there will be consequences if they decide to speak out.

“For example, they might be afraid of the abuser finding out and worried that the abuse will get worse.

“They may also feel that there is no one that they can tell, or that they won't be believed.

“In some cases, children don't even realise that they've been abused and may believe that what they've experienced is quite normal. Those who do know that what has happened to them is wrong might be too ashamed to reveal it.”

To report abuse to the NSPCC or talk to one of their counsellors, call the helpline free on 0808 800 5000, or call the police on 101.